From DTM champion to F1 driver

Several drivers have tried to rise through the ranks of DTM in an effort to reach Formula One. Although the decision may look like a risky gamble, it did pay off for Scotland’s Paul di Resta.

Having beaten Sebastian Vettel to the 2006 Formula 3 Euro Series title, the then 20-year-old elected to start racing in the German touring car series instead of chasing a seat in a single-seater championship.

The venture eventually proved successful when Di Resta won the DTM title in 2010, and became a fully-fledged F1 driver alongside Adrian Sutil at Force India the following season.